Mapping CAP-A satellite DNAs by FISH in Sapajus cay paraguay and S. macrocephalus (Platyrrhini, Primates)

Satellite DNAs such as Cap-A sequences are potentially informative taxonomic and phylogenetic markers useful for characterizing primate genomes. They have also been used as cytogenetic markers facilitating species identification in many taxa. The aim of this work is to map Cap-A sequences by FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) on two Platyrrhini (Primates) species genomes, Sapajus cay paraguay and S. macrocephalus, in order to study their distribution pattern on chromosomes. The CapA probes showed bright signals with almost the same interstitial pattern of distribution in correspondence with C and CMA3 rich regions on six pairs of chromosomes in both Sapajus species. An additional pair was detected on S. macrocephalus. The analysis of the results, compared with previous literature data on other phylogenetically close New World species, shows that Cap-A satellite sequences have a genus-specific pattern, but with slight species-specific patterns that are useful as phylogenetic and taxonomic markers

Centromeric enrichment of LINE-1 retrotransposon in two species of South American monkeys Alouatta belzebul and Ateles nancymaae (Platyrrhini, Primates)

LINE-1 sequences have been linked to genome evolution, plasticity and speciation; however, despite their importance, their chromosomal distribution is poorly known in primates. In this perspective, we used fluorescence in situ hybridiza-tion (FISH) to map LINE-1 probes onto two representative platyrrhine species, Aotus nancymaae (Cebidae) and Alouatta belzebul (Atelidae), both characterized with highly rearranged karyotypes, in order to investigate their chromosomal distribution and role and to better characterize the two genomes. We found centromeric enrichment of LINE-1 sequences on all biarmed and acrocentric chromosomes co-localized with heterochromatin C-positive bands. This distribution led us to hypothesize that LINE 1 sequences may have a role in the centromere architecture and karyotype organization of platyrrhine genome

Repetitive sequence distribution on Saguinus, Leontocebus and Leontopithecus tamarins (Platyrrhine, Primates) by mapping telomeric (TTAGGG) motifs and rDNA loci

Tamarins are a distinct group of small sized New World monkeys with complex phylogenetic re-lationships and poorly studied cytogenetic traits. In this study, we applied molecular cytogenetic analyses by fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes specific for telomeric sequences and ri-bosomal DNA loci after DAPI/CMA3 staining on metaphases from five tamarin species, namely Leontocebus fuscicollis, Leontopithecus rosalia, Saguinus geoffroyi, Saguinus mystax and Saguinus oedi-pus, with the aim to investigate the distribution of repetitive sequences and their possible role in genome evolution. Our analyses revealed that all five examined species show similar karyotypes, 2n = 46, which differ mainly in the morphology of chromosome pairs 16–17 and 19–22, due to the diverse distribution of rDNA loci, the amplification of telomeric-like sequences, the presence of heterochromatic blocks and/or putative chromosomal rearrangements, such as inversions. The differences in cytogenetic traits between species of tamarins are discussed in a comparative phy-logenetic framework, and in addition to data from previous studies, we underline synapo-morphies and apomorphisms that appeared during the diversification of this group of New World monkeys

Efficacy of Home Oral-Hygiene Protocols during Orthodontic Treatment with Multibrackets and Clear Aligners: Microbiological Analysis with Phase-Contrast Microscope

The purpose of this study is to analyze the microbiota of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with multibrackets and transparent aligners. The second goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of the oral irrigator on the oral hygiene and periodontal health of orthodontic patients. Fifty patients (27 F, 23 M; mean age 21.5 years) were recruited for the study, then divided into two groups. Group A underwent fixed orthodontic therapy with multibracket, and a home protocol that included manual orthodontic toothbrush, interdental brushes, and one-tuft brushes. Group B used transparent aligners for 22 h a day and a home protocol that included a manual brush with soft bristles and dental floss. After 3 months, all patients of the two groups, A and B, underwent plaque evaluation with a phase-contrast microscope. If the test result showed non-pathogenic bacterial flora, the subject continued with the traditional home oral-hygiene protocol. If the test detected pathogenic flora, the subject changed the home protocol, with a sonic toothbrush and oral irrigator, while the microbiological analysis continued to be performed after 3 months. After 3 months, 10 out of 25 patients treated with multibrackets (group A) and only 3 out of 25 patients with aligners (group B) passed from non-pathogenic flora to pathogenic flora. After 6 months, using the oral irrigator and a sonic toothbrush for 3 months, all subjects returned to non-pathogenic flora. This study confirms that in patients treated with multibrackets, the risk of developing unfavorable microbiota increases compared to those treated with clear aligners. The use of an oral irrigator combined with the sonic toothbrush seems to be able to restore good oral hygiene in subjects with pathogenic flora and therefore to be effective at reducing the risk of caries and gingivitis in orthodontic patients